Sepabating system and method



Aug. 29, 1939. J. E. FULWEILER 21,185

SEPARATING SYSTEM AND METHOD Orlginal Filed Feb. 7, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet1 I N V E N TO R JOHN 50M FOL M945? ATTORNE Aug. 29, 1939. J- E.FULWEILER I 21,185

SEPARATING SYSTEM AND METHOD Onginal Filed .Feb. '7, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR Jo /v EDW/A F04 WE/L 5/? ATTORNE Aug. 29, 1939. E. FULWEILERRe. 21,

SEPARATING SYSTEM AND METHOD Onginal Filed Feb. '7, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet3 A Z Eg B4 X 2 T w g: 2A A 2/ .0 w zmA INVENTOR ATT Reissued Aug. 29,1939 R 21,185

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEPARATING SYSTEM AND METHOD John EdwinFulweiler, Moylan, Pa.

Original No. 2,076,815, dated April 13, 1937, Se-

rial No, 710,056, Februar I, 1934. Application for reissue July 21,1938, Serial No. 220,599

30 Claims. (01, 183-75) This invention relates to separating methodsvertical position with the faces of the plates so and systems and moreparticularly pertains to disposed that the gases are caused to make anthe separation of gases and solid matter carried abrupt change in thedirection of flow from a by the gases in suspension. downward to anupward direction, preferably on Separations of this character haveheretofore the order of 330 from the original downward been efiected inorder to collect the solid matter direction but I do not wish tobelimited to this or to purify the gases in which the solids are value.The total flow area of the space between carried by a separation of thesolid matter from the baflle plates in the tiers of each flow path is aportionof the gases carrying the same and a made considerably largerthan the flow area of concentration of these solids into another portionthe path inlet thereby providing for an abrupt 10 of the gases,accompanied by a freeing of the decrease in velocity at the moment ofthe change clean gases, followed by the separation of the in directionof flow of the gases. The hopper for solids from the portion of thegases into which collecting the separated solids or dust is disposedthey have been concentrated and the collection of directly below thelower end of the. downward the solids. The systems utilized foraccomplishpath or paths of flow so that the flow path of the 15 ingthese separations have been objectionable beaverage dust or solidparticle is continuous in cause the equipment had to be of acomparatively substantially the same direction from its entrance greatsize to obtain high efiiciency, or the equipinto the separator until itis deposited in the ment has been so complicated in design as to behopper. If desired a plurality of spaced plates impractical because ofits high cost or the conmay be provided in the downward paths of flow 20centration of the solids in part of the carrying to provide a reductionin flow area for the gases gases has been so low as to render the systemand also to provide traps for the solids separated ineflici'ent. fromthe gases and for delivering these solids to The present inventionovercomes these objecthe hopper. The use of tiers of straight, spacedtions to prior systems and provides a novel sepabailie plates isadvantageous because of the sim- 25 rating method which may be practicedin equippliclty of construction and the readiness with ment of thebaffle type which achieves a high which such construction lends itselfto a multiinitial goncentration of the solids, is compact in plicationof separating units either for series or form and economical tomanufacture and operate, parallel flow, thereby affording greatvariation in and is capable of being assembled with separator capacityand making it possible to handle large 30 units of the same design toprovide variaticns in volumes of gases within comparatively smallcapacity. The units may also be assembled so as spaces and at theexpense of comparatively small to provide a plurality of stages inseries to treat pressure drops. gases carrying extremely fine dusts. Thenature of the invention will be understood In accordance with theinvention, the gases from the following description considered in con-35 and solids are separated by causing the gases to nection with theaccompanying drawings formmake an abrupt change in direction of flow,ing a part thereof and in which: augmented by the fact that thisdirectional flow Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of one form changeis from a downward to an upward direcof apparatus embodying the presentinvention tion thereby utilizing the force of gravity in addiand takensubstantially on line l-| of Fig. 3; 40 tion to the momentum of the dustparticles in re- Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on lineslsting the change of direction and further aug- 22 of Fig. 3; mented bythe fact that the velocity of the flow of F'jg 3 is a ti l SectionalView taken the gases in the original downward direction is stantlany online H of Fig 1; considerably in excess of the velocity of flow in Fig.4 is a top plan View f the the changed or upward direction. Morespeciflm Elsa 1 to Cally the downward flow of the gases carrying t Fig.5 is a transverse sectional view taken on solids is through a path ofgradually decreasing th t th 1 t of the solid or dust hue L5 flow area 6ve y Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken subparticles isSubstantially The t ti 11 ll s s of F1 7 and illustratin 50 change ofdirection of flow is accomplished by s an y on De a g means of one ormore tiers of straight, spaced another form of the invention assembledin a baflle plates, resembling when assembled, the plurality ofseparator f connected series; common form of Venetian blind. The tiersof is a vert cal sect onal view taken subbaille plates are disposed in avertical or nearly stantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

apparatus shown 45 separator therein Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional viewtaken on line 3-3 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical sectional view taken on line 3-9 of Fig.'1.

Like characters of reference designate like or similar parts throughoutthe several views.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the disclosed includes acasing designated generally Ill having a front wall ,9. rear wall I2 andside walls l3 and I4. These walls are preferably arranged at rightangles to each other to provide a rectangular separator casing. Thelower ends of the aforementioned walls of the casing converge to form ahopper i4 having an outlet i5 at the bottom thereof which is controlledby a suitable valve ii. The casing is provided with an inlet I! at itsupper end and adjacent the front wall H, as shown, and with an outlet I8at the upper end of the casing in the rear wall a conduit [3 to aninduced draft fan or a stack designated 20 to cause the gases to flowthrou h the casing from the outlet to the inlet, or the gases may beforced through the casing by a fan or other suitable means connected tothe inlet.

A plurality of straight baflie plates 2| are disposed in spacedrelationship along the front wall ll of the casing as shown and arearranged in a plurality of vertically inclined tiers 22, 23, 24 and 25.These bailles 2! in each tier extend from the front wall It to anintermediate wall 23 which extends between the side walls i3 and i4parallel to the front and rear walls and from the upper end of thecasing to' the top of the hopper l4. Wall 25 is provided withwedgeshaped openings 21 and 23 located between the tiers 22, 24 and '23,25. The baiiies 2! in each of the tiers are disposed in parallelrelationship and are arranged so that their faces are inclined to thevertical. The tiers 22 and 23, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, arevertically inclined so that their upper ends or the ends adjacent theinlet II are disposed more closely together than their lower ends. Thetier 24 is vertically inclined so that its upper end is disposed moreclosely to the side wall i3 than the lower end and tier 23 is vertical-1y inclined so that its upper end is closer to the side wall i4 than itslower end. Each of the tiers or bailies extends from a point somewhatbelow the top of the casing It to a point somewhat above the top of thehopper M. The upper ends of the tiers 22 and 24 are connected by aninverted V-shaped horizontally inclined hood 23 and the upper ends oftiers 23 and 25 are connected by a similar hood 33 similarly disposed.As indicated more clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the hoods 29 and 33 aredisposed somewhat below the upper end of casing l3, and extend from theintermediate wall 26 to the front wall H. An inverted V-shaped plate 3|is disposed at the lower ends of tiers 22 and 24 somewhat above theupper end of hopper l4 and extends from the intermediate wall 26 to thefront wall H, and a similar plate 32 is disposed at the lower ends oftiers 23 nd 25 above hopper l4 and between the walls 28 and Ii.

The tiers of baiiles 22 and 23 together with the walls II and 25 form avertically downward inlet path of flow designated A for the gases andsolids entering the separator. The tier 24 together with side wall 13and walls I l and 23 forms another vertically downward path of ilowdesignated A and the tier 25 together with the side wall i4 and thewalls ii and 23 forms still another vertically downward path of flowdesignated l2. The outlet l3 may be connected by A. Suitable means suchas the plates shown and disposed in each of the inlet paths of flow A,A, and A, restrict these paths so as to provide flow paths of graduallydiminishing areas of flow from the upper ends of these plates to theupper end.

of the hopper l4. Plates 33 and 34 are disposed in the path A with theirupper ends in contact at a point centrally of the path A and below theupper ends of the tiers 22 and 23 and with their lower ends spaced apartabove the upper end of hopper l4. These plates 33 and 34 extend betweenwalls I I and 26. Shorter plates 35 and 33 are disposed alongside of theplates 33 and 34 in spaced relationship thereto, and extend between thewalls II and 25 and have their upper ends disposed farther from theplates 33 and 34 respectively than their lower ends. Plates 31 and 33,shorter than plates 35 and 36 are disposed alongside of the latter inspaced relationship thereto and between the walls II and 26 and havetheir upper ends disposed farther from the plates 35 and 36 than theirlower ends. Plates 39. 43 and 4! disposed in path A, are similar toplates 34, 33 and 33 respectively, and are disposed with reference tothe tier ofbailles 24 similarly to the disposition of the plates 34, 35,and 38 with respect to the tier of baflies 23. Plates 42, 43 and 44 inpath A are disposed with respect to the tier of baiiles 25 similarly tothe disposition of the plates 33, 35 and 31 respectively, with respectto the tier of bellies 22.

In the form oi apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the outlet passage forthe gases passing between the baiiies 2i from each of the inlet paths,consists of two par-ts which for convenience are designated B and C. Thespaces defined between the tiers of baiiies 22 and 24 constitute thepart B of the outlet passage, the spaces between the tiers of baflles 23and 25 constitute another and parallel part B, designated B, and thespace delined by the intermediate wall 26, side walls l3 and I4, and thevertically inclined wall 45 extending between the side walls l3 and I4and from the lower ends of the bottoms of the tiers of bailles to apointadjacent the lower part of the outlet IS in the rear wall l2,constituting the part 0. The upper end the plates 3| and 32 at v ofplate 45 is spaced from the rear wall l2 so as to provide an outlet 46for the hopper outlet passage D defined by the plate 45, rear wall l2and side walls l3 and i4. This hopper outlet passage D is of graduallydiminishing flow area from the upper end of the hopper to the outlet 46.

The operation of this form of apparatus is as follows: Gases laden withdust or solid particles from any source are introduced into the inlet I!at the upper end of the separator and after the stream of gases has beendivided by the hoods 23 and 33, the divided streams flow into the inletpaths of flow A, A and A. In their downward flow through these paths,parts of the several streams are continuously withdrawn between thebailles 2| in the tiers 22, 23, 24 and 25 into the parts B and B of theoutlet paths whence they flow into the part C thereof and out of theseparator through the outlet l3 to the fan or stack connected therewith,or to the point of disposal.

In their downward flow through the inlet paths A, A and A, the solid ordust particles are concentrated into a relatively very small portion ofthe carrying gases due to the separation of part of the gases from eachof the downwardly flowing streams and the solids carried thereby byreason of the withdrawal of the separated gas portions hetween the balesof the several tiers and fur- 7 ther due to the fact that the velocityof the downwardly moving solid or dust particles is maintained at asubstantially constant speed throughout the length of inlet flow pathsby reason 01' the gradually diminishing area of flow through which theseparticles pass. Some of the particles flowing downwardly in the severalstreams are trapped between adjacent plates indicated 33 to 44 inclusiveand flow downwardly in the spaces between these plates to the hopper lltogether with the relatively small quantity of gas carrying them. Thegas flowing into the hopper from the several inlet paths of flowtogether with the solids concentrated therein are separated from thesesolids by reason of the fact that the gases are caused to abruptlychange their direction of flow in the upper part of the hopper from adownward direction to an upward direction, after which these gases enterthe hopper outlet gas passage D and flow through this passage to theoutlet 45 thereof and through the outlet l8 of the separator apparatus.Any solid particles remaining in suspension in the gases flowing fromthe hopper through the outlet passage D are removed therefrom prior toreaching the outlet 46 and drop back into the hopper.

Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive illustrate a multi-stage separator embodying theinvention. A threestage separator is shown in these figures but it willbe understood that any desired number of stages may be employed. Forconvenience, the stages have been designated X, Y, and Z which indicaterespectively the first, second and third stages of the separator. Ingeneral, each of the stages is similar to the single-stage separatorshown in Figs. 1 to with the exception that the outlet passage C and thehopper outlet passage D together with the vertically inclined plate 45is not employed nor are the inverted V-shaped hoods, such as 21 and 31!utilized.

The arrangement of the tiers of baffles and the plates in the inletpaths of flow of the first stage are similar to the arrangement shown inFigs. 1 to 5 so as to provide three vertically downward inlet paths offiow designated A, A and A and two vertically upward outlet paths offlow designated B and B. The relatively small volume of gases carryingthe solids which enter the hopper 50 of the first stage make an abruptchange in direction of flow from a vertically downward to a verticallyupward direction and are conducted into the outlet paths of flow B and Brespectively through the hopper outlets E and E As shown, these hopperoutlets, or vents, are in the form of inverted elongated funnels whichextend the width of the baffle plates 2| thereby providing an outletpath of flow for the gas from the hopper to the outlet paths B and B ofgradually diminishing crosssectional area of flow. The gases movingupwardly through the paths B and B are conducted to the inlet paths ofHow A and A of the second stage by any suitable means such as thesemicircular plates SI and 52 shown. The arrangement of the severalparts of the second stage is similar to the arrangement of the firststage except that in the second stage two inlet paths of flow A and Aare provided with three outlet paths of flow designated B' B and B Inthis stage the gases and solids carried thereby from the first stageflow vertically downward through the inlet paths and vertically upwardthrough the outlet paths after passing between the bailles and therelatively small volume of gases which enter the hopper 53 of the secondstage after abruptly changing their direction of flow, enter the outletpaths through hopper outlets of gradually diminishing area of flowsimilar to the outlets E and E of the first stage. The gases and solidsflowing upwardly through the outlet paths of the second stage areconducted by suitable means such as the semicircular plates 54 to theinlet paths of flow of the third stage Z. The third stage is identicalwith the first stage in that it is provided with three verticallydownward inlet paths of flow designated A A and A and two verticallyupward paths of flow designated B and B The gases and solids carriedthereby which enter the inlet paths of the third stage from the secondstage flow vertically downward through the inlet path and the gaseswhich flow between the baflle plates in the several tiers and therebycaused to abruptly change their direction, enter the outlet paths B andl? and flow vertically upward. The gases entering the hopper 55 of thethird stage after abruptly changing their direction of flow, pass intothe outlet paths through hopper outlets similar to the outlets E and Eof the first stage. The gases are discharged from the outlet paths ofthe third stage through outlets 56. These outlets 56 may be connected toa stack or induced draft fan which will cause the gases to flow throughthe several stages as described or the gases may be forced through bymeans of a fan or the like connected to the inlet. It is desirable thateach of the several stages be provided with its own hopper forcollecting the separated solids or dust because of the difference inpressure existing in each of the several stages. The multi-stage seriesarrangement of the separators of the present invention is particularlyuseful for the treatment of gases carrying extremely fine dust.

In accordance with the present invention a separating system for theseparation of gases from dust or solids carried thereby is providedwhich is entirely assembled excepting for the curved plates 5|, 52 and54 in the multi-st'age series arrangement, from straight plates of anysuitable material. As a result of this construction, great compactnessis obtained with low cost of manufacture and high efliciency ofoperation. With the present invention it has been found possible toconcentrate the solids carried by the gases which enter the separatorinto about five percent of the total volume of gas.

If desired, the baflle plates 2| instead of being flat as illustrated inthe drawings may be given a slight transverse bend or curvature in orderto stiffen the plates and to assist in the separation of-the solids fromthe gases. Where the baffle plates are so curved, the axis of curvaturewill lie in a horizontal plane and the bailles will, be disposed in thetiers with their concave sides facing in a downward direction. The word"straight as used in the claims in connection with the baflles or bailieplates is intended to include baiile plates curved in this or a similarmanner.

Inasmuch as variations in the separation process herein disclosed or inthe several steps thereof as well as in the forms of the illustratedapparatus may be made without departing from the principle of theinvention, it will be understood that there is no intention to limit theinvention except by the scope of the claims hereto appended.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough,

a hopper at the bottom oi the casing in which the solids separated fromthe carrying gas are collected, a plurality of substantially straight,spaced baflle plates disposed in the casing so as to form an inlet flowpath from the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction,means in-the inlet flow path to provide a diminishing flow area for thegases and solids passing therethrough, said baiiie plates being arrangedand disposed so that the total flow area between said plates isconsiderably greater than the flow area of the flow path inlet and sothat the gases in flowing from the inlet path and between the baiiies tothe outlet make an abrupt change in their direction 01' flow from adownward to an upward direction.

2. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare collected, a plurality of substantially straight, spaced baflleplates disposed in the casing so as to form an inlet flow path from theinlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction, means in theinlet flow path to provide a diminishing flow area for the gases andsolids passing therethrough,- said bailie plates being arranged anddisposed so that the total flow area between said plates is considerablygreater than the flow area,

of the flow path inlet and so that the gases in flowing from the inletpath and between the baflies to the outlet make an abrupt change intheir direction of flow from a downward to an upward direction, andmeans providing a diminishing area of flow for the gases passing fromthe hopper to the outlet.

3. Apparatus Ior separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom oi the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare collected, a plurality of substantially straight, spaced bailleplates disposed in the casing so as to form an inlet flow path from theinlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction, plates in theinlet flow path to provide a diminishing flow area for the gases andsolids passing therethrough, said baifle plates being arranged anddisposed so that the total flow area between said plates is considerablygreater than the flow area of the flow path inlet and so that the gasesin flowing from the inlet path and between the baflles to the outletmake an abrupt change in their direction of flow from a downward to anupward direction.

4. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases.

introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at the bottomof the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gas arecollected, a plurality of substantially straight, spaced baflle platesdisposed in the casing so as to form an inlet flow path from the inletto the hopper in a vertically downward direction, means in the inletflow path to provide a diminishing flow area for the gases and solidsing therethrough, and for trapping solids flowing through the inlet pathand delivering them to the hopper, said baflle plates being arranged anddisposed so that the total flow area between said plates is considerablygreater than the flow area of the flow path inlet and so that the gasesin flowing from the inlet path and between the baiiies to the outletmake an abrupt change in their direction of flow from a downward to anupward direction.

5. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom or the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare collected, a plurality of substantially straight, spaced baiiieplates disposed in the casing so as to form a plurality of inlet flowpaths from the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction,means in said inlet flow paths to provide a diminishing flow area forthe gases and solids passing through each path, said baille plates beingarranged and disposed so that the total flow area between the baiiieplates at the side of each of said paths is considerably greater thanthe flow area of the inlet of said paths and so that the gases inflowing from each of the inlet paths and between the bailles to theoutlet make an abrupt change in their direction of flow from a downwardto an upward direction.

6. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow 'therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare collected, a plurality of substantially straight, spaced bailieplates disposed in the casing so as to form a plurality of inlet flowpaths from. the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction,means in said inlet flow paths to provide a diminishing flow area forthe gases and solids passing through each path, said bafile plates beingarranged and disposed so that the total flow area between the bailleplates at the side of each of said paths is considerably greater thanthe flow area of the inlet of said paths and so that the gases inflowing from each of the inlet paths and between the bailles to theoutlet make an abrupt change in their direction of flow from a downwardto an upward direction, and means providing a diminishing area of flowfor the gases passing from the hopper to the outlet.

'7. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carryinggases are collected, a plurality of substantially straight, spacedbaille plates disposed in the casing so as to form a plurality of inletflow paths from the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downwarddirection, plates in said inlet flow paths to provide a diminishing flowarea for the gases and solids passing through each path, said baiiieplates being arranged and disposed so that the total flow area. betweenthe baiiie plates at the side of each of said paths is considerablygreater than the flow area of the inlet of said paths and so that thegases in flowing from each of the inlet paths and between the baiiies tothe outlet make an abrupt change in their direction of flow from adownward to an upward direction.

8. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing the.gases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare collected, a plurality of substantially straight, spaced baiileplates disposed in the casing so as to form a plurality of inlet flowpaths from the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction,means in said inlet flow paths to provide a diminishing flow area forthe gases and solids passing through each path andior trapping solidsflowing through the inlet paths and delivering them to the hopper.

9. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the samecomprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet at the upper part. ofthe casing, means causing the gases introduced into the casing to flowtherethrough, a hopper at the bottom of the casing in which the solidsseparated from the carrying gases are collected, a plurality ofsubstantially straight, spaced baflie plates disposed in the casing soas to form an inlet flow path from the inlet to the hopper in avertically downward direction and the initial portion of an outlet pathin a vertically upward direction from the baffle plates to the outlet, aplurality of spaced plates in the inlet flow path to provide adiminishing flow area for the gases and solids passing through said pathand for trapping solids flowing through the inlet path and deliveringthem to the hopper, said baiile plates being arranged and disposed sothat the total flow area between said plates is considerably greaterthan the flow area of the path inlet and so that the gases in flowingfrom the inlet path and between the baiiies to the outlet path make anabrupt change in their direction of flow from a downward to an upwarddirection, and means providing a flow path of diminishing flow area forthe gases which enter the hopper from the inlet path and from the hopperto the outlet.

10. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carryinggases are collected, a plurality of substantially straight, spacedbaflie plates disposed in the casing so as to form an inlet flow pathfrom the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction, and anoutlet flow path in a. vertically upward direction, means in the inletflow path to provide a diminishing flow area for the gases and solidspassing therethrough, said baiiies being arranged and disposed so thatthe totalflow area between said plates is considerably greater than theflow area of the inlet and so that the gases in flowing from the inletpath and between the baiiies to the outlet path make an abrupt change intheir direction of flow from a. downward to an upward direction, andmeans providing a path of flow of diminishing area for conducting thegases which enter the hopper from the inlet path to the outlet.

11. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the samecomprising a plurality 01 separator units, each comprising a casinghaving an inlet and an outlet, a hopper at the bottom of the casing, aplurality 01 straight, spaced baflie plates disposed in the casing toprovide an inlet flow path from the inlet to the hopper and an outletflow path from the hopper to the outlet, means in the inlet flow pathfor providing diminishing area of flow for the gases and solids passingtherethrough, said baille platm being arranged and disposed to provide atotal flow area. between the plates which is considerably greater thanthe flow area 01' the path inlet and so that the gasesin passing fromthe inlet path and between the baiiies to the outlet path make an abruptchange in their direction of flow from a downward to an upwarddirection, means providing a path of flow of diminishing area forconducting the gases which enter the hopper from the inlet path to theoutlet path of flow, and means connecting the outlet of one separatorunit with the inlet of another.

12. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the samecomprising a plurality of separator units, each comprising a casinghaving an inlet and an outlet, a hopper at the bottom of the casing, aplurality of straight, spaced baifle plates disposed in the casing toprovide a plurality of inlet flow paths from the inlet to the hopper anda. plurality of outlet flow paths from the hopper to the outlet, a,plurality of spaced plates in each of the inlet flow paths for providinga diminishing area of flow for the gases and solids passing through saidpaths and for trapping solids flowing through said paths and deliveringthem to the hopper, said baffle plates being arranged and disposed toprovide a total flow area between the plates in each inlet path which isconsiderably greater than the flow area of the inlet to each path and sothat the gases in passing from each inlet path and between the bailiesto each outlet path make an abrupt change in the direction of flow from.a downward to an upward direction, means providing a converging path offlow for conducting the gases which enter the hopper from the inlet pathto each outlet path of flow and means connecting the outlet oi oneseparator unit with the inlet of another.

13. The method of separating solids and gases carrying the same whichcomprises the steps of flowing a stream of the gases carrying the solidsin a vertically downward direction in a path of flow of diminishing flowarea, continuously separating from said stream a portion of the gasesflowing downwardly and causing the gases so separated to abruptly changetheir direction of flow from a downward to an upward direction wherebythe solids carried by the gases are concentrated into a relatively smallportion of the gases, causing the solids and the gases into which theyare concentrated to flow into a collecting zone wherein the solids areseparated from the gases and conducting the gases from the collectingzone through a path oi flow of diminishing flow area.

14. The method of separating solids and gases carrying the same whichcomprises the steps of flowing a plurality of streams of the gasescarrying the solids in a vertically downward direction in paths of flowof diminishing flow area, continuously separating from each of saidstreams a portion of the gases flowing downwardly and causing the gasesso separated to abruptly change their direction of flow from a downwardto an upward direction whereby the solids carried by each of the streamsof gases are concentrated into a. relatively small portion of the gasesof each stream, causing the solids and the gases into which they areconcentrated to flow into a collecting zone wherein the solids areseparated fromthe gases and conducting the gases from the collectingzone through a path of flow of diminishing flow area.

15. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom 01' the casing in which the solids separated from the carryinggas are collected, a plurality of tiers of substantially straight,spaced baille plates disposed in the casing so as to form a straightinlet flow path from the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downwarddirection, said baffle plates being arranged and disposed so that thetotal flow area between said plates is considerably greater than theflow area of the flow path inlet and so that the gases in flowing fromthe inlet path and between the baffles to the outlet make an abruptchange in their direction of flow from a downward to an upwarddirection.

16. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare collected, a plurality of substantially straight, spaced bailieplates disposed in the casing so as to form a straight inlet flow pathfrom the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction, meansin the inlet flow path to provide a diminishing flow area for the gasesand solids passing therethrough, said baffle plates being arranged anddisposed so that the total flow area between said plates is considerablygreater than the flow area of the flow path inlet and so that the gasesinflowing from the inlet path and between the baffle to the outlet makean abrupt change in their direction of flow from a downward to an upwarddirection.

17. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a-hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare collected, a plurality of tiers of substantially straight, spacedbaflie plates disposed in the easing 50 as to form a straight inlet flowpathfrom the inlet to the hopper in a vertically downward direction,said bailie plates being arranged and disposed so that the gases inflowing from the inlet path and between the baiiies to the'outlet makean abrupt change in their direction of flow from a downward to an upwarddirection.

18. The method of separating solids and gases carrying the same whichcomprises the steps of flowing a stream of the gases carrying the solidsin a vertically downward direction in a straight path of flow ofdiminishing flow area, continuously separating from said stream aportion of the gases flowing downwardly and causing the gases soseparated to abruptly change their direction of flow from a downward toan upward direction whereby the solids carriedby the gases areconcentrated into a relatively small portion of the gases, causing thesolids and the gases into which they are concentrated to flow into acollecting zone without changing their general direction of flow whereinthe solids are separated from the gases and conducting the gases fromthe collecting zone through a path of flow of diminishing flow area.

19. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare collected, and spaced tiers of baffles in the casing boundingoppositely disposed portions of an inlet flow path from the inlet to thehopper in a vertically downward direction, said baflles being arrangedand disposed so that the gases in flowing from the inlet path andbetween the bailies to said baiiies being arranged and disposed so thatthe gases in flowing from the inlet path and between the baiiles to theoutlet make an abrupt change in their direction of flow from a downwardto an upward direction.

21. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solids separated from the carrying gasare 001- lected, spaced tiers of baffles in the casing boundingoppositely disposed portions of an inlet flow path from the inlet to thehopper in a vertically downward direction, said baiiles being arrangedand disposed so that the gases in flowing from the inlet path andbetween the baiiies to the outlet make an abrupt change in theirdirection of flow from a downward to an upward direction, and meansproviding a diminishing area of flow for the gasses passing from thehopper to the outlet.

22. Apparatus for separating solids irom gases carrying the samecomprising a plurality of sepa-' rator units, each comprising a casinghaving an inlet and an outlet, a hopper at the bottom of the casing, aplurality oi spaced tiers of battles in the casing bounding oppositelydisposed portions of inlet flow paths from the inlet to the hopper invertically downward directions, said baffles being arranged and disposedso that the gases in passing from the inlet path and between the baiilesto the outlet path make an abrupt change in their direction of flow froma downward to an upward direction, and means connecting the outlet orone separator unit with the inlet of another.

23. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an. outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper havingits inlet connected with the easing and in which the solids separatedfrom the carrying gas are collected, and spaced tiers of baiiles in thecasing providing a plurality of inlet flow paths from the inlet to thehopper, the baffles being arranged and disposed so that the gases inflowing from the inlet path and between the baiiles to the outlet makean abrupt change in their direction of flow to thereby free the gasesfrom the solid matter carried thereby.

24. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an. outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper havingits inlet connected with the casing and in which the solids separatedfrom the carrying gas are collected, and spaced tiers of straight,spaced bailies in the casing providing a plurality of inlet flow pathsfrom the inlet to the hopper, the battles being arranged and disposed sothat the gases in flowing from the inlet path and between the baiiles tothe outlet make an abrupt change in their direction of flow to therebyfree the gases from the solid matter carried thereby.

25. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper havingits inlet connected with the easing and in which the solids separatedfrom the carrying gas are collected, and spaced tiers of straight,spaced baiiies in the casing providing an inlet flow path from the inletto the hopper, the bailles being arranged and disposed so that the gasesin flowing from the inlet path and between the bailles to the outletmake an abrupt change in their direction of flow to thereby free thegases from the solid matter carried thereby.

26. Apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the same,comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper at thebottom of the casing in which the solid matter separated from thecarrying gases are collected, a tier of spaced bailie plates disposed inthe casing so as to form one side only of an inlet flow path, and spacedplates in said casing forming the other side of said inlet flow path andfor trapping therebetween solids flowing through the inlet path anddelivering them to said hopper, said baflles being arranged and disposedso that the gases in flowing from the inlet path between the battles tothe outlet make an abrupt change in their direction of flow.

27. In apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the samecomprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper havingits inlet connected with the casing and in which the solids separatedfrom the carrying gas are collected, a pair of spaced tiers of belliesin the casing, and means intermediate said pair of spaced tiers ofbaflles and cooperating therewith to provide a plurality of inlet flowpaths therebetween, said spaced tiers of baffles bounding the outersides of said inlet flow paths and being arranged so that gases inflowing from the inlet paths and between the bailies to the outlet makean abrupt change in their direction.

28. In apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the samecomprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a. hopper havingits inlet connected with the casing and in which the solids separatedfrom the carrying gas are collected, a pair of spaced tiers of baths inthe casing, and means intermediate said pair of spaced tiers of bailiesand cooperating therewith to provide a plurality of inlet flow pathstherebetween, said spaced tiers of batfles bounding the outer sides ofsaid inlet flow paths and being arranged so that gases in flowing fromthe inlet paths and between the baflies to the outlet make an abruptchange in their direction, while said means intermediate the bah fiestraps the solids flowing through the inlet paths and delivers them tothe hopper.

29. In apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the samecomprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough a hopper havingits inlet connected with the casing and in which the solids separatedfrom the carrying gas are collected, a pair 0! spaced tiers of bafllesin the casing, and. means intermediate said pair of spaced tiers ofbaiiles and cooperating therewith to provide a plurality of inlet flowpaths therebetween, said spaced tiers of baffles bounding the outersides of said inlet flow paths and being arranged so that gases inflowing from the inlet paths and between the baiiles to the outlet makean abrupt change in their direction, while said groups of spaced platesintermediate the baflies trap the solids flowing through the inlet pathsand deliver them to the hopper.

30. In apparatus for separating solids from gases carrying the samecomprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means causing thegases introduced into the casing to flow therethrough, a hopper havingits inlet connected with the casing and in which the solids separatedfrom the carrying gas are collected, a pair of spaced tiers of bailiesin the casing, and means comprising groups of a plurality of spacedplates arranged in inverted-V relation intermediate said pair of spacedtiers of bailles and cooperating therewith to provide a plurality ofinlet flow paths therebetween each including a plurality 01' courses ofreduced flow area, said spaced tiers of baflies bounding the outer sidesof said inlet flow paths and being arranged so that gases in flowingfrom the inlet paths and between the baffles to the outlet make anabrupt change in their direction, while said groups of spaced platesintermediate the bailles trap the solids flowing through the inlet pathsand deliver them to the hopper.

JOHN EDWIN FULWm-ER.

